Requirements

In many rural parts of the world, people still cook with wood. They often must collect and carry the wood many miles on their backs. They also cut down trees and shrubs instead of letting them grow tall for shade. There is lots of sunshine in these areas, especially if the climate is dry, so a solar cooker would be very useful! Most solar cookers are ovens that convert sunlight into heat energy that is used for cooking. You will design a simple solar oven and improve the design by adding reflectors and insulation while testing heating power with a temperature sensor.

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008)

4. The Physical Setting

4E. Energy Transformations

4E/E2c. By the end of the 5th grade, students should know that a warmer object can warm a cooler one by contact or at a distance.

4E/M2*. By the end of the 8th grade, students should know that energy can be transferred from one system to another (or from a system to its environment) in different ways: 1) thermally, when a warmer object is in contact with a cooler one; 2) mechanically, when two objects push or pull on each other over a distance; 3) electrically, when an electrical source such as a battery or generator is connected in a complete circuit to an electrical device; or 4) by electromagnetic waves.

4E/M6**. By the end of the 8th grade, students should know that light and other electromagnetic waves can warm objects. How much an object's temperature increases depends on how intense the light striking its surface is, how long the light shines on the object, and how much of the light is absorbed.

4F. Motion

4F/E3** (ASL). By the end of the 5th grade, students should know that light travels and tends to maintain its direction of motion until it interacts with an object or material. Light can be absorbed, redirected, bounced back, or allowed to pass through.

8. The Designed World

8C. Energy Sources and Use

8C/E2*. By the end of the 5th grade, students should know that sunlight is used to run many devices.

8C/M2. By the end of the 8th grade, students should know that different ways of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy have different environmental consequences.

8C/M5*. By the end of the 8th grade, students should know that energy from the sun (and the wind and water energy derived from it) is available indefinitely. Because the transfer of energy from these resources is weak and variable, systems are needed to collect and concentrate the energy.

12. Habits of Mind

12A. Values and Attitudes

12A/E1*. By the end of the 5th grade, students should keep clear and accurate records of investigations and observations.

12C. Manipulation and Observation

12C/E1. By the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to choose appropriate common materials for making simple mechanical constructions and repairing things.

12C/E3*. By the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to keep written or electronic records of information so that the records are understandable weeks or months later.

12C/E6** (BSL). By the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to use audio and video recording devices for capturing information.

A Note about Java and Security

Our goal is for teachers and students to have a successful experience with our software. Some of our activities require Java software to be enabled on your computer. Due to recent security problems found in Java, we recommend upgrading to the latest version of Java before using our software.

We are evaluating options for ensuring that users can easily run our software without installing additional updates. Bulletins and updates on Java security: